Wallpaper Wednesday- Susie from Sydney

Hi Christine,

I love your blog! I just discovered the world of blogs not that long ago (so behind the times!), and now I'm addicted!
We have just moved into a new house over Christmas that is about 3 times the size of our old place. Needing some help with the girls' play area which is part of the open plan kitchen area. We definitely need some seating in there but am stuck on the layout. I'm thinking a modular sofa? Or maybe a 3 seater facing the wall and two occasional chairs or slipper chairs facing the sliding door? The laundry door is also the access to the garage, so we come in and out of there regularly.

We also need plenty of storage for the toys which is why that Ikea unit is there. There is also a fish tank which is up against the wall that the sliding door is on because if it was opposite the door/window, the fish would poach in the morning sun - it streams directly in. We also have a small TV for the girls.

At the moment the space is bland, boring and looks cluttered. There's no feature or focal point,.I like symmetry, but I feel like it'll be hard with that huge window off to the right of the wall. There's no art or photos up yet, as I want this house to have a different feel than the last. We have a lot of Indonesian furniture and Asian artifacts etc, but now I have fallen in love with the 'Hamptons' look. I want it light and bright and fresh and young.

The burgundy rug is going, I hate that. Thinking a huge sisal type rug? The yellow curtains are also going (they came with the house), and being replaced by off-white roller blinds. Any help with layout and types of furniture that needs to be in there would be so greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Susie in Sydney, Australia x

Hi Susie from Sydney,

I am imagining your text all with a really cool accent. Let's start with the layout. Thank you for sending a floor plan. It is always very helpful. I agree with you in that it is hard to have symmetry with the large window, and yes, a focal point needs to be on that wall. Notice how I chose the modular sofa (Sherrill Furniture)- as it helps to frame the wall space, and doesn't leave you hanging with a "should be more symmetrical" look. I balanced it with two chairs near your large window.

Removing the yellow drapes is a good idea- but I would add more than just shades. For a finished look on your windows- layer your treatments by adding drapes- even if they are only decorative and not functional. These are Belgian Linen from Restoration Hardware.

For your rug, I kept it simple and refined, like a sisal would be, but added a pattern- and a little color that would act as a unifier with the soft neutrals. This rug is from Williams Sonoma Home.

Find a good focal point for your room. The piece above is from Restoration Hardware. It provides storage, as well as can be decorated to be a beautiful focal point.

I love these interlocking stools from Wisteria. Which is also where I found the great chair below.

On your large wall by your door, remember scale when you make selections for that wall. Without furniture in front of it, your wall decor should have a relationship with the wall itself. The mirrors below- from Williams Sonoma Home, are nice and large- I would use three of them.

They also add great texture to the room, along with the grasscloth wallpaper (top of the post) that I would put throughout.

I don't know exactly what you meant by "Hampton's style". That might mean something different in Australia... But I hope I wasn't too far off. What do you think of when you think "Hamptons?" I guess I picture a beautiful vacation home on the beach. What about you?

Thanks for writing in Susie! I can tell you when I think of Sydney, Australia, I think of Finding Nemo- but that is the mom in me.

Clock from Uttermost.